Actively Recruiting
Pathological Basis of MRI Signal Changes in Multiple Sclerosis
Led by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) · Updated on 2026-05-11
250
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
3333 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that damages the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This leads to increased physical disability over time. The disease is lifelong once it begins. Researchers want to learn more about MS s stages and follow them until a person s death. Objective: To understand how the physical and clinical signs of MS relate to its changes over time. Eligibility: Adults age 18 or older with MS or a disease of the brain and spinal cord that may act like MS. Design: Participants will have a medical history and a complete neurological exam. They may have timed tests of neurological function, such as a 25-foot walk and a 9-hole peg test. Participants will have multi-day visits about once a year. Participants will have blood drawn. Participants may have a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They may also have an MRI of the spinal cord. They may get a contrast agent (dye) injected into a tube in an arm vein. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder. Participants will have the thickness of their retina measured using optical coherence tomography. A camera on top of a table uses lasers. Participants will look through a lens and follow instructions. Eye drops may be used to dilate the pupils. Participants will chew on a piece of sterile cotton for 1 minute to collect saliva. Participants agree to have an autopsy at the time of their death and to donate some of their organs to research, such as the brain and spinal cord.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Pathological Basis of MRI Signal Changes in Multiple Sclerosis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of MS or a disease with similar clinical, imaging, or biological features to MS, or no known CNS disease
- Age 18 years or older
- Able to participate in study procedures and provide high-quality clinical data
- Willing to return to NIH for follow-up visits approximately annually (or every 5 years for non-CNS controls) until autopsy
- Willing to undergo autopsy and donate at least brain, spinal cord, and retinas
- Able to provide informed consent and appoint Durable Power of Attorney if needed
- Except non-CNS controls, participating in another screening or natural history protocol at the NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic at study entry
- Eligible NIH employees and staff may participate
You will not qualify if you...
- Unwilling to allow sharing and/or use of coded samples and data in future studies
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jenifer E Dwyer
CONTACT
D
Daniel S Reich, M.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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